Echinacea phagocytosis

Echinacea, a frequently used herb, is taken to stimulate the immune astern function by increasing the number and activity of immune cells and to stimulate phagocytosis (ingestion and destruction of bacteria and other harmful substanceIt appears to shorten the duration of colds and influenza. 

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) Uses immune system stimulant prevention/Rx of colds, flu as supportive th apy for colds chronic infxns of the resp tract lower urinary tract Action Stimulates phagocytosis cytokine production T resp cellular activity topically exerts anesthetic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory effects Efficacy Not established may X severity duration of URI Available forms Caps w/ powdered herb equivalent to 300-500 mg, PO, tid pressed juice 6-9 mL, PO, once/d tine 2-4 mL, PO, tid (1 5 dilution) tea 2 tsp (4 g) of powdered herb in 1 cup of boiling water Noles/SE Fever, taste p -version, urticaria, angioedema Contra w/ autoimmune Dz, collagen Dz, progressive systemic Dz (TB, MS, collagen-vascular disorders), HIV, leukemia, may interfere w/ immunosuppressive therapy Interactions t Risk of disulfiram-like reaction W/ disulfiram, metronidazole T risk of exacerbation of HIV or AIDS W/ chinacea amprenavir, other protease inhibitors X effects OF azathioprine, basiliximab, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, daclizumab, econazole vag cream, muromonab-CD3, mycophenolate, prednisone, tacrolimus EMS Possible immunosuppression... 

Echinacea extracts appear to stimulate the number and activity of immune cells (i.e., increasing physiological levels of tumor necrosis factor and other cytokines) and to increase leukocyte mobility and phagocytosis. The extracts also have antiviral and antiinflammatory properties and inhibit bacterial hyaluronidase. 

The effect of echinacea on the immune system is controversial. In vivo human studies using commercially marketed formulations of E purpurea have shown increased phagocytosis, total circulating white blood cells, monocytes, neutrophils, and natural killer cells but not immunostimulation. In vitro, Epurpurea juice increased production of interleukins-1, -6, and -10, and tumor necrosis factor- by human macrophages. Enhanced natural killer cell activity and antibody-dependent cellular toxicity was also observed with E purpurea extract in cell lines from both healthy and immunocompromised patients. Studies using the isolated purified polysaccharides from Epurpurea have also shown cytokine activation. Polysaccharides by themselves, however, are unlikely to accurately reproduce the activity of the entire extract. 

Wagner et al. 33) have shown that two distinct polysaccharide fractions from Echinacea purpurea exhibited pronounced activities characterized by a high rate of phagocytosis stimulation. One polysaccharide was shown to be a heteroxylan of molecular weight 35000 and an arabinorhamnogalactan of molecular weight 450000. The main characteristics of these polysaccharides from Echinacea were the optimal solubility in water, the high content of uronic acids, and the very complex structure. 

Erhard, M., Kellner, J., Wild, J., Losch, U., and Hatiboglu, F.S. 1994. Effect of Echinacea aconitum, lachesis and apis extracts, their combinations on phagocytosis of human granulocytes. PTR, Phytother. Res. 8, 14-17. 

The majority of the published literature about echinacea focuses on the plant s activity as an immunostimulant. In many in vitro studies, echinacea extracts have been shown to stimulate phagocytosis, increase leukocyte mobility, and increase cellular respiration. Lipophilic extracts appear to be more active than hydrophilic extracts (Anonymous, 1996). 

Actions Immunostimulant (increases phagocytosis to four times that of echinacea), diaphoretic, febrifuge, mucous membrane tonic, smooth muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, mild emetic, peripheral circulatory stimulant, gastric bitter. 

Clinical trials have shown that boneset stimulates phagocytosis better than echinacea, is analgesic (at least as effective, as aspirin), and reduces cold and flu symptoms. In mice it has shown strong immunostimulant activity and cytotoxic action against cancer cells. 

In the course of our Echinacea research, the compound cichoric acid, isolated from the water soluble fraction of E. purpurea roots, was found to activate phagocytosis in vitro and in vivo [35]. 

A raw polysaccharide fraction of Echinacea angustifolia ( . pallida ) roots stimulated phagocytosis in mice, determined in the carbon-clearance assay, at a dosis of 10 mg/kg b.w. and also enhanced phagocytosis of human PMN in vitro by 32% at a concentration of 0.01 mg/ml [50]. Purified extracts containing a glycoprotein-polysaccharide complex exhibited B-cell stimulating activity and induced the release of interleukin 1, TNFa und IFNa,P both in vitro and in vivo [57-59]. 

Effects of ethanolic extracts (DEV 6 1) of Echinacea roots and fractions prepared thereof on phagocytosis of human granulocytes in vitro. From [54]. 

Double blind study with oral application of an ethanolic extract of Echinacea purpurea roots. Stimulation of phagocytosis of granulocytes ex vivo. From [89]. 

Stotzem CD, Hungerland U, Mengs U (1992) Influence of Echinacea purpurea on the phagocytosis of human granulocytes. Med Sci Res 20 719-720... 

Gaisbauer M, Schleich T, Stickl HA, Wilczek I (1990) The effect of Echinacea purpurea Moench on phagocytosis in granulocytes measured by chemiluminescence. Arzneim-Forsch 40 594-598... 

The influence of various Echinacea extracts alone and in combination with other components on a number of immune parameters with a focus on the phagocytosis of polymorphonuclear neutrophile granulocytes has been investigated in five place-bo-controlled trials in healthy volunteers with conflicting results [38-40]. While in two trials an immunostimulative effect could be shown, this was not the case in the three remaining studies. 

The major activity for Echinacea species and chemical fractions thereof is nonspecific stimulation of the immune system, hmnunos-timulant activity involves an overall increase in phagocytosis by macrophages and granulocytes. Oral dosage is as effective as parenteral dosage forms, though acts more slowly. ... 

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